As a result of convergence of the Iranian and Anatolian plates the South Caspian marginal continental basin had already been formed in the end of the Eocene. The South Caspian mega-depression (SCMD) is partitioned into a series of structural units of various scale that have certain evolutionary autonomy against uncompensated subsidence of the depression. In the article from west to east the following structural elements of the SCMD have been considered: the Kur and Gabyrry interfluvial depression, the Lower Kur and the Baku archipelago depressions, the western half of the Absheron-Balkhan residual subduction zone, represented in Azerbaijan mainly by the Absheron archipelago, and the Turkmen shelf owing to the Godin massif by its formation. Based on dimension ratios of local uplifts within the structural elements of SCMD we tried to assess qualitatively the compressional stresses in these areas, their trend and impact upon a number of geological processes. For this purpose, isomorphic maps of the abovementioned structural units, charts reflecting the morphology of local uplifts have been constructed and analyzed. The research results made it possible to establish a direct relationship between compressional stresses, structure formation, mud volcanism and oil and gas content. It is established that the South Caspian depression has been developed as an uncompensated sedimentary basin surrounded by collision and residual subduction zones, subjected to intense compressional stresses and characterized by subsidence and deposition. There is direct relation between the extent of mud volcanism and intensity of compressional stresses in the structural units under study: the former one is the indicator of the latter one. Absence of mud volcanism on the Godin massif is associated with absence of the favorable paleogeographic environment and compressional stresses. Compressional stresses in the intermountain depressions have positive impact upon their oil and gas content, that is, compressional stresses, mud volcanism and hydrocarbon generation are associated with geostructural units.

 

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